The official abbreviations are:
- O.I.P.C., which stands for 'Organisation internationale de police criminelle'
- ICPO, which stands for 'International Criminal Police Organization'.
The official name is 'ICPO-Interpol'
The word 'Interpol' is a contraction of 'international police', and was chosen
in 1946 as the telegraphic address.
In 1956, the International Criminal Police Commission changed its name to become
the International Criminal Police Organization - Interpol.

The emblem, in use since 1950, comprises the following elements:

a representation of the globe, to indicate that Interpol's activities are
worldwide

olive branches either side of the globe to symbolize peace

the name 'INTERPOL' below the globe in the centre of the olive branches

a vertical sword behind the globe, representing police action the
abbreviations 'OIPC' and 'ICPO' above the globe either side of the sword

the scales below the olive branches symbolize justice.

The flag has been in use since 1950:

it has a light-blue background

the emblem is in the centre

the four lightning flashes arranged symmetrically around the emblem
represent telecommunications and speed in police action.\

At the 1947 General Assembly session in Paris, it was recommended that all
member states adopt the name 'Interpol' as the telegraphic address (Resolution
AGN/16/RES/12

At the 1949 General Assembly session in Berne, the organization (then known
as the International Criminal Police Commission) adopted the Interpol emblem and
flag

At the 1956 General Assembly session in Vienna, the name 'International
Criminal Police Organization' was adopted

At the 1958 General Assembly session in London, member states were asked to
take measures to protect the word 'Interpol' (AGN/27/RES/1)

At its 1961 session in Copenhagen, the General Assembly recommended that
members take further measures to protect the name 'ICPO-Interpol' from
unauthorized use (AGN/30/RES/6)

At the 1972 General Assembly session in Frankfurt, Indonesia proposed that
Interpol's emblem be modified so that all regions would be represented.

At the 1973 General Assembly session in Vienna, the emblem was modified, and
now depicts all the regions of the world.

As an international organization, Interpol's distinctive signs are protected by
the 1883 Paris Convention. Under the terms of Article 6 of this Convention,
which has been ratified by the majority of Interpol's member states, the
signatory countries have agreed to refuse to register as trademarks and ban the
use of coats of arms, flags, emblems, initials and names of states and
intergovernmental organizations. The organization's emblem and the name
'Interpol' have, in addition, been registered as European Community and US
trademarks.

In exceptional cases, the organization may authorize a third party to use its
distinctive signs. Authorization can only be given by Interpol's Secretary
General. In any event, authorization to use the organization's distinctive signs
is limited:

authorization is given for a specific, identified project

the duration of the authorization is specified

authorization does not confer any exclusive rights

the authorization specifies that the organization's signs may not be
modified or adapted.

Where appropriate, the media (documents, films, etc.) must be submitted to
the organization for approval before publication. The organization may
automatically revoke the entitlement to use its distinctive signs if it
transpires that the project for which the organization has given its agreement
is likely to prejudice its reputation or image."

Interpol has currently 181 members. The sovereign countries not members of
Interpol are: Bhutan, Kiribati, North Korea, Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, San
Marino, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and
Vatican. The organization was founded in 1923, and has its headquarters in
St-Cloud, outside Paris.Ivan Sache, 4 September 2004, based on
Interpol website

This flag is based on the flag image on Interpol's website. The logo is not
full colour nor 3-D but flat and made of a dark blue outline.Marc Pasquin, 18 April 2005

image
by Marc Pasquin, 18 April 2005

This flag can be seen during a meeting in Russia and flying outside during a
convention in Mexico. It is composed of a logo centered on a white field, with
the logo a gold outline of the wreath, solid gold scales and sword and 2 tones
blue globe (dark continent on pale blue water). I haven't found any explanation
of its significance and could simply be a de facto variant (maybe when
one wants to make sure its not confused with a UN flag).
Marc Pasquin, 18 April 2005